242. Wooden Mask of Kushmandi

Wooden Mask of Kushmandi also known as Gomira Dance Mask is a ritualistic non-Vocal dance form Mask worn by the local communities during the performance, to usher in Good forces and drive out Evil forces from the Villages.

Kushmandi of Dakshin Dinajpur, West Bengal is home to crafts persons who are involved in making wooden masks locally called as Mukha. Bold demonic look is the characteristic feature of the masks. The wood crafted Gomira masks represent the characters of the two distinct forms of dance – the Gomira and the Ram-Vanwas.

Image credit: thigma.art

The wooden mask of Kushmandi is mainly of two types, one that is used in house hold for the decoration purposes and the one that is used in the traditional Gomira dance. The two types of masks are made by the same process and materials, with some difference between them.

If the mask is to be used for the purpose of dancing, only then the eyes, mouth, etc are hollowed out. The masks that are crafted for the decoration purposes are also bulkier and heavier than the mask used in Gomira dance.

The word Gomira is a colloquial form of the root word Gram-Chandi, a female deity. The exact origins of this craft and the dance are not exactly traceable. It is supposed to arise from Buddhist and pre-Aryan sources. It is usually organized within the Bengali months of Baisakh - Jyestha Asarh, corresponding to mid-April to mid-July of English calendar.

The craft of mask making is intrinsically connected with the rituals practiced in Dakshin Dinajpur. Each character has a name and a story with mythological connect. The masks are worn during performance as part of ritual activity. This is the aspect which makes it unique.

The mask is made from a single log of wood. There is no joining of multiple logs or wood block. Initially the masks were made from pure woods such as wood from Neem tree, as per Hindu mythology. Mostly the artists use wood from gamar tree (Gmelina arborea). Locally available and cheaper wood such as mango, pakur, kadam, gamhar and teak are also used.

Wood pieces are kept submerged in large reservoirs containing water for seasoning and then the pieces are taken out after a week and sun-dried. The basic form emerges first with the use of the adze, followed by emphasis on facial features.

Although the masks used for dance are brightly painted, decorative masks are made without paint. In some cases a black hue is used which comes from the fruits of the tree called ‘Basatbot’. Gomira masks were painted with natural dyes. Red dye was made from segun (Teak), green from seem (a form of bean), violet from jamun (Syzygium cumini) and black from Jia tree (Lannea coromandelica).

The mask gets a coat or two of natural varnish, which provides smoothness to the mask and ensures durability. Terpenes are mostly used for this purpose which is collected from the locally available Pine tree.

It easily hangs on the wall using a single nail or screw via the attached hanger on the back. A wonderful and colourful addition to any room, and a great housewarming gift for both friends and family. Recently the artists are making diversified products in the form of small fridge magnets, lamp shades etc.

GI Tag Registration Date         : 28 March 2018

GI Tag Number                         : 566

Certificate Number                  : 319

Geographical Area                  : West Bengal

Special Cover Release Date   : 31 December 2021

Cancellation                             : Siliguri 734 001

Type                                          : GI Tag Cover

Cover Identification Number  : WB/33/2021

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